Vertical drop water power



Jan. 11, 1938. A. G. GRONDAHL 2,104,984

I VERTICAL DROP WATER POWER Filed Feb. 24, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 fiuenfiz Qlfred 6. 62 01% Jan. 11, 1938. I GRQNDAHL 2,104,984

VERTICAL DROP WATER POWER x Filed Feb. 24, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Jan. 11, 1933 UNITED srArEs PATET '5 Claims.

This. invention relates to apparatus for developing power from fiowig water, and more particularly to apparatus of this kind for use where there is a direct vertical drop or fall of the water, so that the weight of the latter may be utilized to operate the apparatus. Generally stated, the object of the invention is to provide a. novel and improved construction and arrangement whereby an endless series of buckets is supported and arranged to travel downwardly with the buckets full, and upwardly with the buckets empty, and in which the buckets are hinged together to, in effect, form an endless and articulated belt that travels over rotary means at the upper end of the apparatus, and under rotary means at the lower end thereof, under the weight of the water in the buckets which are right side up.

It is also an object to provide certain details and features of construction and combinations tending to increase the general efiiciency and desirability of a water power apparatus of this particular character.

To the foregoing and other useful ends, the invention consists in matters hereinafter set forth and claimed and shown in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a vertical longitudinal section of a Water power apparatus embodying the principles of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary vertical transverse section on line 2-2 in Fig. 1 of the drawings.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings.

Fig. 4 is a perspective of a portion of the endless belt formed by said buckets.

Fig. 5 is a vertical detail section of one of the buckets, showing the same hinged to the top of a bucket below.

Fig. 6 is a perspective of one of said buckets.

Fig. 7 is a perspective of a portion of the platform or framework upon which the apparatus is mounted.

As thus illustrated, the invention comprises a framework having an upper boxlike platform provided with a bottom I and side walls 2, provided with vertical wells 3 and 3 for downwardly moving buckets, and vertical wells 4 and 4 for upwardly moving buckets, these wells being preferably formed of sheet metal to provide a sort of casing or housing in which the buckets move downwardly and then upwardly. The wells 3 and 3, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, extend downwardly through a lower platform 5, which latter may be a part of the general stationary framework upon which the water power apparatus is mounted. Horizontal shafts 6 are arranged transversely of the platform, between the upper ends of said wells, and supported in bearings I mounted on the platform in any suitable or desired manner. Between said bearings, octagonal rolls or supports 8 are mounted on said shafts. A suitable screen 9 is disposed upstream from said wells, in position to remove rubbish from the water before it reaches'the apparatus. Similar transverse shafts it are mounted on the under 10 side of the lower frame member 5, and similar octagonal rolls or supporting members II are mounted on these shafts, in vertical alignment with the octagonal rolls 8 previously mentioned.

Endless articulated belts are hung or supported on the upper rolls 8, and arranged to travel under the rolls ii, each belt comprising a series of buckets 12, as shown more clearly in Figs. 4, 5, and 6 of the drawings. These buckets are preferably Wedge-shaped, as they taper downwardly and have open upper ends. These buckets are preferably formed with integral hinge knuckles 53, which fit together and have pintle pins inserted therein, thereby forming hinges between the buckets, in the manner shown in Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawings. In this way, the inner side of each endless belt thus formed is practically fiat and adapted to move down close to the wall of the well or casing 3, while the lips or upper edges of the buckets move upwardly close to the other wall of said well or casing. Thus, the buckets themselves form a link belt structure, and no separate chains or link belts are necessary.

In operation, water flows into the boxlike support or platform i, from the left, and fills the downwardly moving buckets in each casing or well 3, as indicated in Fig. 1 of the drawings, and the weight of the water in the downwardly moving and right side up buckets is sufficient to develop considerable power, causing the empty buckets, those that successively pour their contents out at the bottom of the apparatus, to pass upwardly through the relatively short wells or casings l, which latter have their upper ends above the water line, as indicated in Fig. l of the drawings, so that the water cannot flow downwardly in any well or casing i of the structure. The formation of the buckets is such that they empty their contents readily, and also slide readily up through any mud or trash that may accumulate in the water below the upper boxlike platform I, whereby each bucket arrives empty and practically clean at the point where it is again filled by the flowing water above. The endless belt structure thus provided is easily and conveniently repaired, as a disconnection between While four endless belts are shown, composed of buckets, it is obvious tha the aparatus may involve any suitable or desired number of such belts, depending upon the amount of water power available, and the amount of power desired to be developed therefrom. I

The buckets may overflow in filling andthus practically a downwardly moving column of water is maintained in the pipe 3 between the open upper and lower ends thereof.

What I claimas my invention is:

1, In water power apparatus, a horizontal platform for receiving a stream of water, having means to maintain a body of water thereon of the desired depth, means forming a walled openingin said platform, with the upper edge thereof disposed above the water line, so that normally the water will not overflow through said opening, a tube extending downwardly through said platform, with the open upper end thereof normally below the water line, an endless series of buckets, a rotary support for said buckets, disposed in position on said platform to cause'the 'right-side-up buckets to move, downward in said tube, while the upside-down buckets move'up through said 7 walled opening, and means on the platform to mount saidrotary support in position to be rotated by the weight of the water in said tube.

2. A structure as. specified in claim 1, comprising a rotary support for the lower end of the belt formed by said series of buckets, said tube having its lower open end adjacent said last-mentioned rotary support.

3. A structureas specified in claim 1, comprising a rotary support for the lower end of the belt formed by said series of buckets, a stationary support aidistance below said platform, having 

